Clepsydra [ON HOLD]

Chapter 9: The Ghost

By the time I'm ready to leave, I still haven't told her anything. Sure, she knows that I have a mission, and that no matter what, I have to get it done, but... I'm not so sure about leaving her here, all alone. It's a scary thought, leaving Zoi at the house, no one to watch or care for her. Sure, she can hunt pretty well and knows how to skin her prey, but she still isn't the best. She still needs guidance. Training. Protection. And I cannot do that from halfway across the world.

    I sigh, standing up and buttoning my suit. I might as well try to get this over and done with so I can leave and get this mission started. I walk down the stairs and through the kitchen, stopping to lean against the door frame, watching her train. There is something I can do, to ensure she's safe, but the last time I called him, she threw a huge fit and ended up putting innocent people in the hospital. I don't think I can handle that again.

But, I have to try. I pick up the landline, dialing the number as I wait. This might be a mistake. No, scratch that. It is a mistake, but I don't have any other options. None whatsoever. But, I trust him enough to watch over her. To train her and keep her safe.

"I'll give you two coins," Is the first thing that I say when the line picks up. I already fucked up, but I know it got his interest. Why do I always do this? Say the wrong thing at the wrong time?

"What would I have to do?" He asks as I look up from the phone receiver. Zoi is punching the boxing bag, hard enough for it to sway back and forth between hits. I smile, proud of her. There was once a time where, no matter how hard she tried, it refused to move. And now, look at her.

"You would have to train her while I'm gone. Be a few days," he hums over the phone, not sounding sold, "I'll even add a few thousand, American," I sweeten the pot, knowing that he hardly ever says no to actual money.

Coins, for him, mean very little. I know this because he has told me so. But money, especially from the U.S., well, if his body could show, he would be instantly hard over it. He practically salivates at the thought of it. It's the only thing within our world that is real and has value.

"Why don't you have someone from Returns deal with her?" He sighs out, something rustling as he moves. Is he seriously still in bed? I don't doubt it.

"If someone comes from Returns, they will not teach her! You know this!" I explode, my anger at him coming back from all those months ago. When he fucked up what a client wanted and made me lose millions. I'm not above blackmailing him, but I'd rather not. He does help put the List together and helps guide clients to certain... helpers. And if I fuck him over, he could fuck me over too, "I just need you for a few nights, man. Two, maybe three, max,"

"She's been with you for literal years man. Take her with you," He moans out and I feel like reaching through the phone to strangle him, "For, ya know, outside training purposes."

"No, it's too dangerous," Is he trying to insinuate something? I'm not entirely sure, "And besides, you'll be training her, I trust you,"

"Dangerous thing to do. Stupid thing to do, my friend," He chuckles.

"When should I expect you? I need to leave in an hour," I play with my watch, going back to the kitchen as Zoi takes a break, drinking water through the squeeze bottle.

She has grown so much in the time I've had her. Her body definitely changed. From a frail little killer to this monster in training. She will be unstoppable, and everyone will know it, "Give me twenty," He grunts into the phone.

"Twenty what? Minutes, thousands?" I ask, annoyed as I set the receiver down and look into the fridge, for what? I'm not sure. Just something.

"Both," I sigh. It's not like I don't have the money, I easily can do twenty thousand, it's just he knows it too. And the coins? He can call me and make me do whatever he needs. It's too good an opportunity to pass, even for him.